This is a blog dedicated to people who feel that they were scammed by the Likes Karon Shea Model Management, Cinderella Modeling Agency and John Wood. So far this blog has been based on opinions of consumers that have dealt with Karon Shea Model Management, Richard Bertone,John Wood and Cinderella Modeling Agency, Use them at your own risk!

11/4/08

John Woods Scam is alive and well in New Hampshire. Cinderella Modeling agency is fully aware of who John Wood is and seems not to care. Ask yourself after reading this blog do you really want to support or give money to an agency that employs or even associate with John Wood!

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "For those of you that paid Karon Shea and John Woo...": Just got a call back from John today. I am glad to have found this blog.I went last week to a 'casting call' based on a Craig's list ad. It said, looking for people for an 'Irish mob film', an age range (that I fit, being age 20). I called the 978 number and said I was interested. I was told to come the next day at 7 PM to Cinderella Modelling in Manchester, NH (I live in Lowell, MA at the moment). So I went there. About 20 other hopefuls were there and we all had to give our information and wait in the room downstairs.I think this must be the routine. You walk in, meet John, give your information, and then go into a room to hear the spiel. John claims he lived in LA for 20 years, worked with agency which shut down recently because the owner 'went into menopause and thought all her employees would steal her money' (maybe he comes up with a slightly changed story every week). He stated that the previous day he had over 1000 people in a meeting for the same film. He claims that the film details have not come in and will not come in 'till tomorrow or maybe next week' (this must always be the case). Auditions may be as 'early as Saturday' and etc. I did not grow very weary during that session. He was a good actor, a good 'scam artist'. On questions, he stated that normally he cannot answer any questions during a session when there are 'hundreds or thousands of people' so 'you guys are lucky'. Then questions are asked. He has a pre-set answer for every one I am sure. I asked no questions, however one person did and asked 'how many people do you know from LA?'. He claimed he had 'over 3,000 contacts'. The session ended and he said that he would judge whether we could have a role in the film or any film the modelling agency gets information on based on how we 'carried ourselves' when we walked in, solely. 'First impressions make it or break it.'He had some old guy with him that night who was siding with him so as to further his claims. The old guy was agreeing with John that 'MA Comp cards are a joke in comparison to LA' and 'MA is so far behind when it comes to LA; there is no bulk rate on printing'. John made further claims that Boston and New England are becoming a hotspot for shooting feature films (perhaps that is true). He also made claims that acting schools around here are charging too much and are a joke. To seem more believable, he mentioned places like Boston Casting and other places.Finally, he said to wait a week for your call back. He even stated, 'if you do not get a call back, do not feel bad. We will keep you on file in case you fit any other things we come across'.I got a call back today (certainly it has not been a week, 5 days). John first asked: 'how much do you really want to do this?' I responded with enthusiasm and said 'very much'. He then said 'great' and asked me about my situation, to which I answered as 'I am a full-time student' and so forth. He then told me to 'think about a few things', and then said that he NEEDS a Comp card done (yes every agency needs a Comp card). However, he then told me about Richard Bertone. He told me to go to his MySpace. I did that but I questioned to myself why does not Bertone have a REAL web site (like a .com; ANY business can afford one)? He told me that Richard Bertone knows the agency (Cinderella) and knows what they are expecting, and then stated that the cost of the photos would normally be $1,000 but Richard is doing a deal right now for 'newcomers' at $795.After reading this blog, among other links from it, he is getting no call back from me and I am certainly not dropping $800 for Comp cards when they are not even the industry standard for acting. And I have read they are not worth the $800.Yes, I am an acting hopeful and I am taking classes at school as well (minor in Theatre, English major). I think I need more work and I will find that legitimate agent/agency one day who will get me the work (unpaid and paid) I would like to get. As for now, I audition for anything I can find, building a decent resume I hope.It is unfortunate Cinderella has fallen for such a trick.http://www.cinderellamodelsne.com/Contact them and let them know!I did to let them know about this scam. I will phone them tomorrow and ask for Suzette, the owner. Watch out for this! I am so glad I never dropped money. Craig's list is great for selling stuff locally. Never buy into claims of easy entry into an industry like the film industry. If you have it in you, you will either already have them looking for you or you just need to find a legitimate agency, and you MUST speak with its owner!Lastly, I was told by people who have friends in the SAG NEVER to trust Craig's list when it comes to ANYTHING regarding the industry. Real casters, directors, producers, etc NEVER post there.

7 comments:

Anonymous
said...

PLEASE TELL ME HOW THIS IS A SCAM????I'm new and did go to that same open call. I never heard ANYONE same the stuff this person is claiming.I need photos for modeling, prints for a book and comp cards to hand out. Never all the Boston agencies have me paying for them same.I was told I had a good look, but I know that(LOL) no really that's way I'm looking into modeling.BUT never promised anything as to work. My understanding is that an agent can only send you to be seen. The Company looking for whoever does the picking.So back to my question, HOW is this a SCAM?SAMMY

If you really have a 'good look', then the agency will pay for your Comp card (if you need one), which in the case of acting you do not. If they will not cover the costs (and take from your earnings later), they are NOT legitimate. No agency ever has any reason to do anything for you once they have your money. And even if I paid this Richard Bertone person $795 my guess, based on this site, is that a good portion of that sum will go to John. Also, it could be the other way around. Others on this site have said John will be adamant about requesting cash to HIM and not to Richard Bertone for the photos.

Hello BLOGGER IT"S ROYWHY Didn't you post my comments?As I see it your a peace of work. Ypu past on on things that fit your a gender! We or I wait your phone call.

A to TATSH. NO agency here in Boston will pay for anything for you.You do not know what your talking about, PERIOD! Please tell with ones do what you said.. I know them all, it does not happen.And why? models are a flacking bunch and an agent is NOT GOING TO WAIST THERE DOLLARS on them.So please give me you list that do. I'll send some folks over to them.

HERE IS A LIST .Dynasty Model. no WAY joe IS WAY TO CHEAP....You go there and if your picked it cost 350 to 550 for photos and 500 for comp cards

TONN Model Management: Ryns about the same

Model Club, Inc. nice people there,photos 350 on up cards from 250 to 300

Maggie. the same, but they will try to find a free test for you every once and while.

So I do know what I'm talking about TATSH.IN NYC or LA same thing, more free testings but you pay. The days of Agents pay your way is long gone, they would take it out of what you made.And why not there in businesses to make money LIKE EVERYONE. ROY and because my first post wasn't posted I'll Tell you all again.I know Richard Bertone, I'm a photographer as well. I've ask the Blogger to cal him today or call me, but he does only what he what's and not tell the whole story.

NO that is not true BLOGGER !!What's your name by the way?Any way Richard HAS NEVER POSTED here! We, some of his friends and Co Photographers have.I Quote you what Richard said to mr about you." Again never meet this ass wipe. He may of called me But I don't give out profit and break downs to anyone. To a compelt stranger?? WHAT?? COME on Roy! He does not care if he writes about HIS Opinion. the guy is a loser. Look at all the comments most are written by him.. Look at the grammar and spelling. He keeps on making the same screw ups."And Blogger I agree. So Grown some BALLS Call HIM or better yet give your number, I'll get him to call you. Even better lets all meet at your choice of venue and have all the so called people that comment come down to talk. We both know you will never do that.He;ll be pissed that I sent another comment and I do need to get back to work with him now but REALLY PLEASE CALL.

I have only skimmed through a few of the blogs posted here, and (aside from the grimaces I bear each time I note a grammatical error [I'm an English teacher]) I do want to express that I have had some difficulty with KSMM as well.I signed on on Dec 2007 and only received two jobs from the agency. The first was in January 2008, and I only just received payment LAST MONTH... and that was after numerous e-mails and phone calls. That's right: it took KSMM 8 months to pay me $90 from a bridal show.The second job I worked was in May 2008, and I finally received payment LAST WEEK... I would like to note the improvement in punctuality; this job only took 6 months for payment to be issued.Please note that the final payment was only received after I began filing a complaint with the BBB. Although Karon appears to be very professional, her agency lacks professionalism. Communication is horrendous, punctuality is non-existent, and the staff is sweet but not very capable. (Secretary Haley is very caring, but her e-mails are grammatically worse than my high school students)As an educated woman who lived in London studying the industry, I would NOT recommend KSMM to any aspiring talent. I myself have collected my remaining comp cards (that I was sold into getting from Bertone- a poor choice on my behalf) and terminated my contract.